My kids were jostling for position around me like grizzlies fighting over the best salmon fishing spot at Brooks Falls in Alaska. Why, you might ask, were they doing this? Was it for a new video game, or a new toy, or a stray kitten? The answer is D, none of the above.
They were in a crazed state because I had come across some actual real life printed photographs in a forgotten box in our garage from when they were younger. They were not gallery-quality, heirloom giclee prints; just your regular run-of-the-mill pharmacy photo lab 4x6s.
Growing up we always had photo albums around, stuffed in the coffee table, up on the shelf, sometimes stored in the attic. Even when printed photos were more common, finding a photo album on a bookshelf felt like discovering a hidden treasure. Did Mom and Dad really look like that when they were kids or when they got married?
In the digital age, our kids are not used to seeing printed photos, let alone getting their hands on them. Holding a photograph in your hands is different and special compared to viewing one on your phone or tablet. My 'recents album' on my phone currently holds 44,755 photos. We probably have 100 printed photos in our house, and maybe 20 on display at any given time. I see the 20 we have printed every single day, and I'll probably never look at some of those 44,755 again.
As your family photographer, I'm here to help you avoid the biggest mistake families make after having a photo shoot: not getting photos printed! Below are some tips on printing and reasons for getting prints made in the first place.
Keep it simple.
Prioritize doing this, rather than aiming for perfection. Eighty percent of the benefits are achieved by printing your photos in any form, even if it's on your home printer or at a pharmacy. There are many better options than those, which include printing them from the shop in your galleries, but you can find great options online on your own too.
Be Careful With Your Black & White Prints
When going the quick route of pharmacy photo lab printing, make sure they can actually print black and white. Many of them can't, resulting in prints with an odd green/blue tint that doesn’t look good. The larger online shops have specific paper and profiles for printing black and white images.
You’ll Enjoy Them More
How often do you revisit the pictures on your social media or in your phone’s photo albums? If you want to get the most enjoyment out of your photographs, you need to have them somewhere you'll actually see them on a regular basis. Get them out of your email or phone, and onto your wall!
Ask if you need help!
I genuinely want you to print your photos. Even if you aren’t printing through me, feel free to ask for help figuring this out!
So, let's bring those digital memories to life! Contact me to discuss printing options, from high-quality prints to custom photo books. Let's turn your family's special moments into tangible treasures that you can hold close to your heart.
Remember, it's not just about taking photos; it's about creating lasting memories that you can enjoy in your day to day life, and look back on in the future.
Happy printing!
Jimi